Gasoline tank cap with doubleacting valve



D. FRIEND GASOLINE TANK CAP WITH DOUBLE-ACTING VALVE 4 5 9 1 e n H J Filed May 14, 1951 IN V EN TOR. .Zzqa/sozv fizz/v17,

Mfg W ATTOF/VFK Patented June 1, 1954 GASOLINE TANK CAP WITH DOUBLE- ACTING VALVE Dawson Friend, Connersville, Ind., assignor to Stant Manufacturing Company, Inc., Connersville, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application May 14, 1951, Serial No. 226,179

12 Claims. (01. 220-40) The present invention relates to closure caps for vehicle gasoline tank filler spouts and is primarily concerned with improvements in such caps used with tanks having very short filler spouts.

Tanks of the above type are used chiefly on farm machinery, such as tractors and the like, and are usually not covered, being exposed to sudden and relatively extreme temperature changes. Such conditions cause sudden changes in vapor pressure in the tank and make it necessary to provide valve means in the filler spout cap to compensate for these pressure changes both above and below atmospheric pressure. This invention is directed primarily to an improved valving means for such a fillerspout cap.

The user of a vehicle with such a short filler.

spout usually fills the tank to overflowing before taking it to the field. The rough terrain over which the vehicle must travel causes the fuel in the tank to be thrown toward the filler spout. It is a further object of my invention to provide means in the filler spout cap which will respond to such onrushes of liquid to insure a liquid-tight closure of the vapor valve means above mentioned.

As commercially available, many of such machines are so constructed that fuel feed to the engine from the supply tank is by gravity alone, and that the gravity head for such feed is very short-frequently being only five or six inches. It is a further object of the invention, then, to provide a device of the character described which will operate to admit atmospheric air to the tank very freely, so as to prevent the production of any substantial vacuum within the tank, while effectively guarding against the escape of liquid from the tank except under conditions of extreme and abnormal pressure.

Further objects will become apparent as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, my invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that change may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described, so long as the scope of the appended claims is not violated.

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a valved cap constructed in accordance with my invention shown in cooperation with a filler spout with which it is primarily intended to be used;

Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view of my inventiontaken on line 22 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an element of my invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, I have shown a fragment of a gasoline tank I0 having a short filler spout II secured thereto. Spout II is of the type having an annular seating surface I2 guarded by a skirt I3 presenting cam surfaces I4 oppositely facing with respect to seating surface I2.

My cap comprises a frame I5 centrally perforated as at I6. A dished element I1 centrally perforated as at It is fixedly secured to frame I5 by means of a tubular rivet I9 providing a vent 2c opening to the atmosphere and communieating with the interior of dished element I'I. Dished element I I further provides ears 2| engageable with cam surfaces I4 to shift the cap axially toward the seating surface I2 upon turning movement of the cap relative to spout I I.

Confined between the end of dished element I1 and frame I5 is a gasket '22. A second gasket 23 rests loosely on a seating formation 24 on dished element I I, and a resilient washer 25 is loosely confined between the two said gaskets. When the cap is placed on filler spout II, as illustrated in Fig. 1, washer 25, at its inner periphery, sealingly engages with gasket 22 and at its outer periphery, urgesgasket 23 into sealing engagement with seating surface I2.

A cup element 26 has a rolled rim 21 press fitted into the interior of the dished element I'I. Preferably, but not necessarily, the dished element may be crimped over the rim 21, as at 21', to insure against accidental separation of elements I1 and 26.

Spaced downwardly from rim 21, cup element 29 presents an annular valve seat 28 facing toward rivet I9 and has an inverted dome portion 29 depending from the inner periphery of valve seat 28 away from rivet I9, the end an thereof being centrally perforated as at 3 I.

A gasket 32, centrally perforated as at 33, spans the valve seat 28. A discoidal member 34 engages gasket 32 on the side thereof opposite valve seat 28. A coiled spring 35 is confined within cup element 26 and bears against the dished element I 'I and discoidal member 34 to bias the discoidal member against gasket 32 and the gasket against valve seat 28.

Discoidal member 34 comprises a first annular rib 36 engageable with gasket 32 around the central perforation 33, a second annular rib 3I engaging gasket 32 in registry with valve seat 28, and a plurality of ports 38 between the two said 3 ribs but spaced from the plane thereof away from gasket 32.

Loosely carried in dome portion 29 is an inverted cup member 39 spanning perforation 3| therein. The bottom 40 of member 39 is normal- 1y spaced slightly from the gasket 32 and the lateral wallithereofiis spaced slightly inwardly from the-.-,dome..wall, both the dome portion 29- and cup member 39 preferably being cylindrical in cross-section. I have provided a plurality Off relatively shallow notches 4i interrupting. the

rim of cup element 39, this for a purpose later,

to become apparent.

Operation,

In use, the cap is placed on the filler neck in the position shown in Fig. l. which is built up in tank l0 passes through per.- foration 3! into the dome portion 29 beneath the cup element 3 l escaping through rim notches 4|; betwcenlthe walls of elements. ieandfis, and into the region above element 38, so long as the vappri-fiow is very slow;

It will' be seen froman examination of Fig. l thati-the gasket 32 is supportedagainst gravity solely-by. theseat 23* which underlies the outer peripheral. regionof said gasket, the central region of'the gasket having noexternal support. Thus, the position of that central region of the gasketmnder balanced pressure conditions will be dependent upon theproportions and theinherent stifinessor resiliency ofthe gasket; Preferably, I use a gasket so proportioned and constructedthat, when new, its central-region will, under-balancedpressure conditions, just engage the rib=36 undernorsignificant tension. Any slightest pressure change which raises the pressurewithin the tank: above current atmospheric value thus'w-ill pressthe'gasket 32 more tightlyagainst said rib to prevent fluid escape from the tank unless: and until the pressuredifferentialrises to a-value sufficient to overcome-the force of. thespring 35; Anyslightest change in the oppositedirection, however, will permit atmospheric pressure to move the central region of' the gasket away from the rib-36 to permit air-flow into the tankto' break'any vacuum therein, said gasket olfe-ring no measurable resistance to such air fiow.

With advancing age, however; the gasket 32 loses its inherent rigidity or resiliency and sometimes sags away fromrib 36. Relatively rapid vapor or liquid flow toward the vent 2i will-usu-r ally, but not inevitably, overcome this deformation and force the gasket back toits seating position-on'rib 3B; but in-orderto ensureproper seating: of the gasket in response to surges of liquid or; vapor, and in. response to even a slow rise liquid;leyel resulting from liquid. expansiondue to-raclical temperaturexchanges, I have provided the cupunember, 35. Asslow-ly rising liquid enters thedome. portion 29 through perfor ation 3,i,.the cup member 39, due to'vapor entrappedtherein, floats. As the liquid-level rises, the bottom. 40, of member 3945" forced against gasket, and in turn forces the gasket against the rib 3.6,,thus .preventing liquid escape through.

ports 38. When either liquid or vapor rushes or surges through theport ii at relatively high velocity, the,-vcup,-39 will be entrainedtherewitlr to seatthegasketin-a. similar manner;

While I have described my invention for use with a .vehicle gasoline, tank, it shouldbe appar-. entthatit maybe used with equally satisfactory vapory pressure results wherever the described conditions of liquid and vapor pressure might occur.

I claim as my invention:

1. A pressure-vacuum valve comprising an annular valve seat, a discoidal member, a centrally perforated gasket loosely confined between said valve seat and said discoidal member, spring means biasing said-discoidal memberagainst said gasket and said gasket against said valve seat, said discoidal member having a first annular rib en ageable, with said gasket around the central perforation therein, a second annular rib concentrio with said first annular rib engaging said gasket in registry with said annular valve seat, and aplurality of ports between said first and second annular ribs but spaced from the plane thereof away, fromsaid; gasket, and means oppositely spaced from said plane and movable, in response to fluid movement toward said ports, to press said gasket into engagement with said first annular Iib.

2. The valve of. claim. 1. in: which said meanscomprises .an .invertedcup member opening-L away. from saidgasket andloosely supported in aposi tion spaced slightly therefrom, said cup memberi being adapted to heat on liquid-.approachingasaid valve seat to close. the-central perforation in said: gasket andto force said gasket into sealingen gagement with said first annular. rib- 3. A two-way valve comprising an annular valve seat having an inverted cylindrical: dome portion depending fromthe-inner periphery of: saidivalve seat, and havingacentral perforation inthe end thereof, aninverted, cylindrical cup member supported loosely in said dome spanningthe central perforation therein, the-cylindrical" wall thereof being spaced slightly inwardly from the cylindrical wall of I said dome portion and: the bottom of i said cup member being spacedslightly below the plane-of said annular valve seat, and valve meanscooperable with said annu-- lar-valve seat comprising adiscoidal member,- a centrally perforated gasket looselyconfined between said member and'said valve seat, a-coiled spring biasing said ldiscoidal member against'said: gasket and said gasket against said-valve-seat; said discoidal'member having a first annular rib engageablewith said gasket around the centralperforation thereof, a second'annular-ribconcentrio with said first annular ribengaging the; gasket inregistry with said" annular valve seals, and aplurality of ports between said first; and" second-annular-ribs but spaced from the plane;- of 'said gasket away fromsaid-dome portion; said cup member being adapted to floaton liquid-ap preaching said valve seatto spanand close the; central perforation in saidgasket and to force. said gasket intosealing engagement with said first annular rib.

4. The device of claim 3 in which the rim-of said cup member is interruptedrby a-plurality of relatively shallow notches.

5; For use with avehicle gasoline tank filler spout having arr-annular seating surfaceguarded by a skirt presenting camsurfacesoppositelyfac ing with respect-to said seating surface; a closure; cap comprising-means for cooperation with'said, camsurfaces to move said capaxiallytowardsaid; seating surface upon turning movement" of saidca-p-relative tosaicl' spout; a cup element'fixed toasaid-cap, said cap being provided:withavent2 openings to .the atmosphere and communicating; with theinterior ofisaidzcup element, said cup elementiproviding, in a region .of said-icup element remote from ,said vent, .an-annulari valve seatrfac-l ing said vent within said cup element, and said cup element further having a centrally perforated dome portion spaced out of the plane of said valve seat away from said vent, a first valve means carried within said cup element for cooperation with said valve seat and comprising a discoidal member, a centrally perforated gasket loosely confined between said member and said valve seat, means carried within said cup element biasing said discoidal member against said gasket and said gasket against said valve seat, said discoidal member having a first annular rib engageable with said gasket around the central perforation thereof, a second annular rib concentric with said first annular rib engaging the gasket in registry with said annular valve seat, and a plurality of ports between said first and second annular ribs but spaced from the plane of said gasket toward said vent, and means carried in said dome portion and movable under the influence of fluid fiow to hold said gasket in engagement with said. first annular rib.

6. The device of claim 5 in which the last said means comprises an inverted cup member loosely carried in said dome portion between the perforated end thereof and said gasket and opening away from said gasket, the bottom of said mem ber being spaced slightly downwardly from said gasket and the lateral wall thereof being spaced slightly inwardly from the wall of said dome portion, said cup member being adapted to float on liquid approaching said valve seat to close the central perforation in said gasket and to force said gasket into sealing engagement with said first annular rib.

7. The device of claim 6 in which the rim of said cup member is interrupted by a plurality of relatively shallow notches.

8. For use with a, vehicle gasoline tank filler spout having an annular seating surface guarded by a skirt presenting cam surfaces oppositely facing with respect to said seating surface, a closure cap comprising a frame having a central perforation therein and carrying resilient gasket means for engaging said annular seating surface, a dished element having a central perforation therein and cam lugs for engaging said cam surfaces to shift the cap axially toward said seating surface upon turning movement thereof relative to said spout, a hollow rivet passing through said central perforations in said frame and said dished element to fixedly secure said dished element to said frame, a cup element interiorly fixed in said dished element with the mouth thereof facing said rivet and having, in a region thereof remote from said rivet, an annular valve seat facing said rivet within said cup element, said cup element further having a centrally per forated dome portion spaced out of the plane of said valve seat away from said rivet, a first valve means carried within said cup element for cooperation with said valve seat comprising a discoidal member, a centrally perforated gasket loosely confined between said member and said valve seat, a coiled spring carried within said dished element and said cup element biasing said discoidal member against said gasket and said gasket against said valve seat, said discoidal member having a first annular rib engageable with said gasket around the central perforation thereof, a second annular rib concentric with said first annular rib engaging the gasket in registry with said annular valve seat, and a plurality of ports between said first and second annular ribs but spaced from the plane of said gasket toward said rivet, and means carried in said dome portion and movable under the influence of fluid flow to hold said gasket in engagement with said first annular rib.

9. The device of claim 8 in which the last said means comprises an inverted cup member loosely carried in said dome portion between the perforated end thereof and said gasket and opening away from said gasket, the bottom of said member being spaced slightly downwardly from said gasket and the lateral wall thereof being spaced slightly inwardly from the wall of said dome portion, said cup member being adapted to float on liquid approaching said valve seat to close the central perforation in said gasket and to force said gasket into sealing engagement with said first annular rib.

10. The device of claim 9 in which the rim of said cup member is interrupted by a plurality of relatively shallow notches.

11. For use with a container having a filler spout providing a skirted seating surface, a closure cap comprising a frame, sealing means carried by said frame and engageable with a spout seating surface, retaining means carried by said frame and engageable with a spout skirt to move said sealing means into engagement with such a seating surface, a cup element carried by said frame and. providing a perforated end wall and a valve seat axially spaced from said end Wall, said frame being provided with a vent opening through which the interior of said cup communicates with atmosphere a centrallyperforated gasket seated on said valve seat, a discoidal element, spring means acting upon said discoidal element to press the same against that surface of said gasket remote from said valve seat, said discoidal element having an annular seating surface presented toward said gasket and located radially inward with respect to said valve seat but radially outside the perforation in said gasket, and said discoidal element further being perforate in a region between its seating surface and said valve seat, and a float disposed between the end wall of said cup element and said gasket, said float having an imperforate wall located to span said gasket perforation and the perforation in said cup element end wall.

12. The closure cap of claim 11 in which said float comprises a plane wall and a perimetral flange, said flange normally resting on said cup element end wall, and the edge of said flange being notched.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,885,121 Loweke Nov. 1, 1932 2,015,915 Adsit Oct. 1, 1935 2,133,575 Rosenberg Oct. 18, 1938 2,154,113 Smith Apr. 11, 1939 2,181,969 Eshbaugh Dec. 5, 1939 2,528,796 Smith Nov. 7, 1940 2,203,801 Swank June 11, 1940 2,528,791 Scoville Nov. 7, 1950 

